Farm-rake



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A. C. WAIT.

FARM RAKE. No. 375,401. Patented Dec. 27, 1887.

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:(Np Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. G. WAIT.

FARM RAKE.

No.v 375,401. Patented Dec. 27, 1887.

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ALFRED o. WAIT, OF SALINA, KANSAS.

FARM- RAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,401, dated December 27, 1887.

No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED O. WAIT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Salina, in the county of Saline and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Farm-Rakes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in rakes, and its objects are, first, to provide a draft appliance in which the parts are durabl y juxtaposited; second, to permit of varying the horizontal position of the rake; third, to permit of readily effecting the rotation of the rake, whereby the load is dropped; fourth, to dispose the parts relatively to each other, so that their easy operation from the seat is possible 5 and, fifth, to attain these ends with structural simplicity and economy. I accomplish these purposes by the mechanim illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a horse-rake embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the rakeshifting mechanism. Fig. 4 is a view of the detached detent. Fig. 5 is a detal view of the axle and main beam. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the strap connecting the rake-head to the frame A and forming a bearing for the rake-head, and Fig. 7 is a detail view of the rod T relatively to the rakehead and adjacent parts.

Similar designations indicate like parts in all the Views.

Upon suitable wheels, K, and axle Z is mounted a carriage frame consisting of a tongue, J, suspended from the main beam D by hooks D D, respectively embedded in the beam D and the bolster Z, a whiffletree, V, bolster Z, connecting-pin X, and draft-rod WV. A seat, H, is adjusted upon the bolster Z by a curved spring, I, and a foot-board, Y, is held in place below by the tongue J and the axle Z,

and above by the bolster Z and the whiffletree V, whose pin X passes thcrethrough. Adjacently to the seat H, and capable of being operated therefrom, is the lever E, pivoted in bearings O and normally locked to the segmental rack G by the bolt F, encircled by spring F, actuated by hand-lever F through the link F. The same bolster, Z, that supports sition, to which the guide-post M, having brackets N N, is rigidly secured, braced by the rod 8. Immediately below the beamD is the frame B, joined by braces B, from which the rake-bearing frame A depends, being braced by the rods B,'and formed with bearings at its lower end for the rounded sections of the rakehead.

' Secured by straps A to the frame A at its lower end is the rake-head, composed of bars Q, between which the teeth T are rigidly secured. The rod T, beveled at both ends to engage alternately the detent R in the movements of the rake-head, is rigidly secured to the rake-head parallel to the teeth, whereby the breaking of contact between said detent and either end of the rod will permit a rotation of the rake, by reason of the teeth falling to the level of the ground, into which the tine-points will then dig to effect the semi-revolution. Shoes U are secured to the upper and under surfaces of the teeth T on one side and to the corresponding faces of the rake-head Q, by pins U.

Adj ustably attached to the end of the lever the seat H maintains the main beam D in po- E by pin L is the connecting-rod L, which with either of the rods T, it is perforated at R, to permit the headed pin S, encircled by spring S and embedded in sliding bar 0, to pass therethrough.

The manipulation is as follows: When the hay has accumulated on the rake sufficiently to clog progress, thebolt F is withdrawn from the rack G by the handle F. Then the forward end of the lever E is depressed, which effects a corresponding elevation of the sliding bar 0 through the connecting-rod L, whereby the detent B raises the adjacent end of the rod T, and the forward ends of the teeth, by digging into the ground, and assisted by the weight of the hay, will cause the rotation of the rakehead as the rake is drawn forward until it is arrested by the springactuated detent R engaging the other end of the rod T. The rake is now held in position to gather another load, when the operation will be repeated.

I am aware that heretofore the rotation of a horse hay-rake has been effected by a handlever operative from the drivers seat, and this I do not broadly claim; but

\Vhat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

In a horse hay-rake, the combination, with the beam D, supported by wheels K, the brackets G, mounted thereon, and a segmental rack, G, of the lever E, pivoted in said brackets and having an actuating handle, F, by which the spring-bolt F is operated in the segmental rack to alter the inclination of the rake, the

supporting-frame B, having the rake-bearing frame A depending therefrom, and the guidepost M, provided with guides N N, the rotary rake-head Q, attached to the frame A, between whose teeth T the rod T, having beveled ends, is rigidly secured parallel thereto, the slidebar 0, adj ustablyseeured to the rear terminus of thelever E, having a perforated connectingrod, L, aperforated detent,R, attached thereto, and a spring-encircled pin, S, to maintain the detent in normal engagement with either end of the rod T, whereby said rake is shifted by each reciprocation of lever E and slide-bar.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED C. XVAIT. Vitnesses:

A. D. Gooowm, 'l. D. FITZPATRICK. 

